I am NOT a doctor, dietician or expert. Do I know everything there is to know about diabetes? Heck no, but I do know what it’s like to live with it.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

We Have Lift-Off!

Have you ever
cried at the doctor’s office, in front of a new doctor who doesn’t know you
from Alice? I have. Yesterday. I didn’t ugly cry or sob, just tears. I
apologized to him and explained that “no one has ever listened to me before.”
Guess what he said! “I’m sorry that happened to you but we’re going to get this
worked out.”

Yup, tears.

Let me back up
a bit. Yesterday I had my first appointment with my new HCP, who happens to be
35 miles away. As I’ve said in previous posts, I’m tired of my concerns being
ignored so I’ve changed doctors. I had planned to see a doctor who was
suggested to me by someone in the DOC. I called last week and was so
disappointed to find out that he is no longer taking new patients. Damn my
luck! However, there is a nurse practitioner in his office who could see me.
Yes, he could help me with my diabetes. I figured, what the heck, let’s give this
a shot. I went armed with data and determination. I explained that I’ve been
living with diabetes for over 12 years. I acknowledged that my A1c is still
very stable but I had provided him with numbers, both fasting and pre/post
prandial that I had gathered when preparing to see the dietician in November,
that I hoped would explain my concerns. I said, “I know my A1c is good but I
don’t think that fasting numbers in the 160s or post prandial numbers above 200
are a good thing.” You will never in a million years guess what he said to me. “You
are absolutely right.” What? Really? (This is where I teared-up).

He told me that
I had options, including more oral meds and Lantus. HE OFFERED ME
INSULIN!!!!!!!!! Deep breath. I indicated that I didn’t want to take more oral
stuff, but wanted something faster and more predictable. This is where he told
me that he wasn’t used to seeing patients who actually asked for insulin. He
said he has patients with A1cs of 10 and 11 who refuse insulin. That made me
sad. He applauded me for realizing that things were progressing and wanting to
jump on it before things got worse.

I cannot
adequately explain to you how all this felt. My concerns were validated, a HCP
listened and we came up with a plan together. I had fasting labs done this
morning and I will return next Monday for a more thorough looking-over as well
as instructions on how to poke myself with Lantus. Oh, and he has referred me
to a CDE which is another thing I’ve never had…in 12+ years.

I feel more
hopeful. I’m a bit worried about weight gain but the doctor said we’d keep an
eye on that and adjust as needed. I’m concerned about the cost of the Lantus.
(More on this and an insurance rant on the next post.) No matter the cost, it’s
ok because I GET TO USE SOME INSULIN!!!!! I be happy, can you tell?

Oh, and please
learn from my experience. Don’t EVER let a doctor tell you that your concerns
aren’t valid. Don’t continue to see a doctor who won’t listen to you. Stand up.
Speak up. Do whatever you need to do to get the healthcare you deserve. Please.

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